Guwahati, Aug 02: The peace process in Assam ran into rough weather today with the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group threatening to pull out of negotiations with the Centre following the killing of several cadres of the banned group by security forces.

"The PCG will meet within a day or two and on top of the agenda is a discussion on the view that the group, which was formed to bring the ULFA to the negotiating table, should pull out from the talks (with the Centre)," PCG member Lachit Bordoloi told PTI here.

Noted author Indira Goswami, a key mediator between the ULFA and the Government, said in New Delhi that she had informed National Security Advisor MK Narayanan about the PCG's "unhappiness" over recent developments in Assam, where several ULFA members have been killed by security forces.

Their comments came even as the Assam Police said it had yesterday gunned down top ULFA rebel Mridul Hazarika, who allegedly killed noted social activist Sanjoy Ghosh in 1997.Five more ULFA militants were killed by security forces in different parts of Assam during the past two days, sparking protests by members of the PCG and civil society groups.

"In our last meeting in June, the Government assured the PCG it would sympathetically consider the demand for the release of five jailed ULFA leaders.

But so far we have not seen any positive response in this regard," Goswami said.

Considering that the operations by security forces against ULFA and the killing of its members were continuing, it appeared that the Government was going "against the spirit" of talks between the PCG and the Centre, Bordoloi said.

"The PCG is awaiting a response from the Centre and if we do not get a favourable response, we may have to consider pulling out (from the talks)," he said.

Assurances were given by the Centre during talks with the PCG in June that five ULFA leaders held in jails in Assam would be released and restraint adopted by security forces, Bordoloi said.

The ULFA has made it clear that it will not hold direct negotations with the Centre unless the five leaders are freed.

The group wants to know the government's stand on its demand for "sovereignity" for Assam and has asked the Centre to trace ULFA leaders missing since a military crackdown on the group in Bhutan in 2003.The Centre is yet to repond to ULFA's demands, and it has said the group has not stopped indulging in illegal activities like extortion.

However, Union Minister of State for Home S Regupathy told Lok Sabha yesterday that ULFA's request for the release of its jailed leaders would be considered favourably by the Centre in consultation with the Assam government.

The Centre has also said ULFA should make contact with it for holding direct talks instead of negotiating through the PCG.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi too had said yesterday that ULFA should establish direct contact with either the Central or state government to carry forward the peace process.

Bordoloi, however, claimed the PCG had abided by the spirit of its talks with the Centre and appealed to ULFA to maintain restraint.

"But the operations against the outfit have continued and at least 12 of its members were killed since the last round of talks." He rejected the view that ULFA's call for boycotting Independence Day celebrations and a road blockade on that day went against the spirit of the talks.

Comment